#online content

We live in a scenario with a huge inequality of access to culture in Brazil nowadays. Even though it is a constitutional law, many people still find it difficult to access ways of entertainment such as movies, tv shows, books and other online content. Most of these contents are in paid platforms or the ones that demand subscriptions to many different services. This type of model just reinforces inequalities that already exist and makes it hard for people who have less financial resources to access different contents.

To be honest, I don’t have so many difficulties accessing entertainment contents online, because most of what I consume is available on platforms that I or someone in my family already subscribed to. Besides, sometimes I resort to piracy. I believe that it can be a great alternative for those who want to consume some kind of media, but can't because of financial issues. In my case, this happens with books. I really enjoy reading, but the prices, especially physical books, don’t fit into my budget. That’s why sometimes I end up using piracy to be able to read some works. Literature is an important part of my life and I don’t want to lose access to it (I avoid using piracy with indie and national authors, because I believe that this harms their work)

I also think that it’s important to reflect on the reasons that lead Brazil to be a country where more than half of the population doesn’t read books. The high costs of the books (and signatures, in case of movies and series) and the difficulty to access the internet and technology limit the contact of many people with books and entertainment.

Finally, this type of situation makes me think a lot about how de access to entertainment still is extremely unequal in Brazil. Even though I can consume a lot of online content, many people don’t share the same opportunity and need to prioritize more essential expenses. That’s why I think we should discuss ways to make movies, tv shows, books and other cultural products of entertainment more accessible to everyone.

Created by Taiane Cunha, student at CLAC/UFRJ, class 504

Online entertainment today is bigger and my consumption is influenced by some options available. I watch videos, listen to music and follow content creations on different platforms. In my experience having many choices permits me to find content that I like as relaxing content. But sometimes I can't access it. For example, I love watching FC Barcelona, and the games are available on Disney Plus. I don’t have this platform, so  I’m using other websites on the internet  to watch my team. I know that this is not correct, but how  am I supposed to watch my team? I won’t pay Disney Plus only for this, I think that is expensive for me.

Using piracy is a bad option because it hurts creators. The most important idea is to have access without breaking the law. I believe that we need cheaper online entertainment to avoid piracy. But the reality is different. Many people can not pay for those platforms of entertainment.

In addition many people stop using paid platforms because the prices are expensive. You also have to consider that some people don't have high salaries. Moreover, some regions have fewer legal options to access online entertainment. Another important point is that online entertainment is a basic part of life now. Many people use it to relax, learn new things, or stay connected with friends and communities. I have friends that sign up with four streaming platforms (Netflix, Prime Video, HBO MAX, Disney Plus) and also music apps like Spotify Premium. It is interesting because with all these platforms. They spend a long time finding a movie to watch. Sometimes they say that they can’t find interesting content.

Finally, online entertainment should be accessible to everyone, not only for those who can pay for many platforms. When access relies  only on money, many people are excluded from the cultural experiences that others have every day.

I consume online content consistently. The principal activity I do with internet is studying, because the online access to resources is faster than searching for physical materials. I also like to play online games, planning things on Pinterest, reading comics on Facebook, etc., but scrolling on social media is tiring, so I prefer reading my books or watching series.

   Even with an easy access to online content, the quality of the network company is low, theirs operators don't go to risk suburban areas when clients needs a repair, so this complicates the situation. If I can't either pay for a better service or live in another place today, so I can't even pay for many options of online entertainment, because it is expensive. Furthermore, I love listening to music, it became an online activity actually that is almost impossible download a song without pay a lot for it or choose the piracy. So I use free versions of platforms, but the ads are frustrating.

   In addition, it all reminds me that, in Brasil, people have to pay just to watch other channels beyond the basics that work with a simple antenna and we have to choose between paying for an entertainment platform or saving money. I feel excluded from some form of online entertainment. Finally, my experience with social and economical accessibilities makes me value every free options of online contents, like YouTube, little-knowns free platforms, public domain contents and government softwares like "MEC Livros", "MEC Idiomas" and "Tela Brasil".

Dal canto nostro, la cosa più simile che abbiamo avuto è stata certa radio che ha poi portato alla Gialappa's band e a qualche estemporaneo altro esempio televisivo. Non so se questo si sia tradotto in videosaggisti indipendenti (che magari hanno anche visto gli americani). So che alcuni magazine online hanno prodotto contenuti multimediali influenzati da quello stile.

Ma noi arriviamo sempre un decennio più tardi. Lo stesso discorso vale per i podcast e la stand-up comedy.

Su TikTok abbiamo assistito ad una velocizzazione dei contenuti, così come degli sketch, anche di questi saggi, che sono diventati brevissimi. Non è facile scriverli, perché devi essere sintetico ma esaustivo e dimostrare abbastanza personalità per mantenere un pubblico nonostante la brevità del mezzo. E allora si usano aiuti visivi, come le scritte in sovraimpressione, una moderna lavagna per impartire meglio la lezione.

Trovare contenuti di qualità è difficile adesso, considerando che alcuni prima avevano l'ambizione di mettere nella descrizione del video di YouTube le fonti di ciò che stavano dicendo, cioè facevano un discorso più accademico possibile, almeno nel metodo.

Adesso è facile inciampare nel video del cospirazionista e la fonte è "Trust me bro". Il rigore scientifico di Red Ronnie, praticamente (avete visto che fine ha fatto, no?)

In più, per quanto riguarda un messaggio davvero controcorrente, anche lì la vedo difficile: abbiamo visto la genuflessione dei tech bros di fronte a Trump e come TikTok (dalla parte accessibile dall'Occidente) ora sia filo-Israele.